Focus on foodies will serve festival

A NEW team of foodies is to take over from the Byron Chamber of Commerce to organise this year's Taste of Byron festival.

Food producers, business people and restaurateurs met last week to decide on the future of the event.

The group of 30 people voted unanimously to keep the festival going, but to revamp it with a new focus on its three core patrons: Community members, tourists and food industry people.

"The chamber acknowledges that it really doesn't have the expertise to be running a food festival," Byron Chamber of Commerce president, Greg Owens, said.

"I'm thrilled by the team of people who put up their hand to keep the festival going.

"It's still very much part of the chamber's activities."

The new taste committee, consisting of nine restauranteur, food producer, community and chamber members will meet again on Tuesday to discuss the future of the festival, including dates, venues and themes.

New team member Ralph Mamone, of Fish heads Byron Bay, said he was excited to be part of the festival's evolution.

"We've got so many great and unique producers and restaurants," he said.